You can’t anticipate the unexpected – that’s part of it being unexpected, after all – but you can be prepared for it if you keep the proper supplies on hand as you do with a first aid kit. To learn what you should do in the case of a dental emergency and also what supplies you’ll need to be prepared for one, call McNulty and Dancausse General Dentistry at 704-766-8662 today.

If you or one of your loved ones has a dental injury or some other form of emergency situation related to their mouth, visit our Charlotte, NC dentist office as soon as you possibly can. Thanks in part to our triage capabilities, we’ll be able to give you a same-day appointment the majority of the time so you can get out of pain and have your situation addressed as quickly as possible.

If you are bleeding and are unable to stop it, go to your local emergency room as soon as possible. Then you can follow-up with us for some form of restorative dentistry treatment to get your smile as good as new again.

Not only will we do our best to get you out of pain, we will also do all we can to repair your smile so it is as good or better as it was before your injury. We may even be able to help you:

  • Avoid feeling self-conscious about a damaged smile
  • Be able to chew your food normally in comfort
  • Prevent a bad dental situation from getting worse

For your convenience, we open a little earlier than some dentists do starting at 8:00 a.m. every weekday.

We also offer a large variety of payment options to make covering the cost of the care you need more manageable. We know that even in an emergency, if you are concerned about financial issues, you may try to hold off on getting treatment. We don’t want any of our clients to endure pain just because of financial concerns.

We even accept third-party financing through CareCredit and Lending Club. Both organizations offer interest-free payments for those that qualify.

Keep These Items On Hand In Your Dental Emergency Kit

Just like you keep a well-stocked first aid kit to use in case someone in your home is unexpectedly injured, you should keep some items around that will help you deal with an emergency related to various forms of dental injuries. While some of the items in a general first aid kit can come in handy for dental issues, there are some specific items you may not already have.

Read on below to learn some of the many items that will be helpful (and how to use them) if you need to address a dental injury. You can also speak with us in person during an appointment if you’d like some professional advice and some accessible answers to any questions that you may have.

Gauze, Cotton Balls, & Cotton Swabs

As mentioned above, if you have a dental injury that is causing you to bleed, the first thing you should do is try to stop the bleeding. Gauze will come in handy in this situation and there’s a good chance that you already have some in your home in your first aid kit. You can also use gauze to cover and protect the injured area until you are able to get treatment.

You can use cotton balls in a similar way as gauze in mouth-related emergencies, but they can also come in handy in applying various forms of medicine. The same goes for cotton swabs, especially if the area is near the back of the mouth and possibly hard to reach.

Saline Solution

To rinse out your mouth and clean it some, gently swish around some saline solution. You can buy some already bottled so it’s ready to go or add some salt to warm water if you don’t have any on hand.

Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers

There’s a good chance that you already have some OTC pain relievers in your home, but if you don’t you should definitely pick some up. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and take them as directed. Many types of pain relievers also act as anti-inflammatories, so you’ll get some relief from discomfort and also help to prevent the problem from getting worse quickly.

Nitrile Gloves

To keep the area clean and avoid any contamination, you should keep some nitrile gloves handy. Because many people are allergic to latex, this is a good alternative. Anytime you are reaching inside your mouth or someone else’s in the case of a dental injury, be sure to have some nitrile gloves on.

Ice Packs

To help numb the area and also keep swelling to a minimum, keep some ice packs in your kit. There are many options available, including ones that you can activate on the spot and ones that you can keep in your freezer. Of course, you can also use regular ice cubes in a bag wrapped in a clean cloth as well.

Benzocaine

This medicine is made to numb oral injuries. It works quickly so you won’t have to grin and bear it when you have an injury. Be sure to follow the instructions and apply as recommended.

A Dental Mirror

It can be difficult to tell what is really going on in the case of a dental injury, especially if the problem is near the back of the mouth. You can purchase an angled dental mirror at certain pharmacies or get one online.

Floss

A lot of people don’t floss as they should but even if you don’t floss much, keep some around in case of an emergency. It will come in handy if you need to get something loose from between your teeth.

If you or someone you know are in need of help in a dental emergency, call McNulty and Dancausse General Dentistry at 704-766-8662 as soon as possible to book a visit with us. You can also come directly to our Charlotte, NC dentist office during our normal business hours. In non-emergencies, you can use our handy online form to book a visit or ask a question anytime.